Instructor Profile: Nate

Why Listen to a White Guy Talking About Filipino Martial Arts?

I began my martial arts journey in 1979 at the age of seven, studying Oh Do Kwan Taekwondo. By the time I was 16, I had expanded my training to include Hwa Rang Do, Hapkido, and other Korean martial arts.

In 1992, I joined the U.S. Army. A year later, in 1993, I began training in Arnis De Mano under the Lastra system here in the United States. I earned instructor certification in that system in 1994.

(Fair warning—my memory has taken a hit due to a traumatic brain injury, so bear with me if I occasionally draw a blank.)

While serving, I was assigned to teach at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There, I had the opportunity to instruct members of U.S. Special Forces Command and various government agencies.

In 1996, I was deployed to the Philippines to deepen my knowledge of Filipino Martial Arts. That’s where I met Eduardo Igot and was welcomed into the Igot family to study the Kamatuuran system of Kali directly at the source. I trained with the family for over a decade, during which time I also traveled extensively through the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond. I eventually married into the Igot family and received ongoing mentorship from Eduardo, who was both my teacher and father-in-law.

Over time, I learned to adapt what worked for me and to understand what didn’t—an approach that has helped me better prepare to counter a wide range of martial styles.

After returning to the U.S., I continued training Special Forces and Special Operations groups until I was medically retired in 2014.

Following Eduardo’s passing, I was able to reconnect with a member of my extended family. During our conversation, he shared that Eduardo had regarded me as the successor to the Kamatuuran system.

My Mission

Since that day, my focus has been on preserving and promoting the Kamatuuran system of Kali.

Train. Read. Ask questions. And keep going. You’ll go far.